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Pow Wow

Pow Wow is approximately 300 years old and is an indigenous magickal system used by the German-American population that consists of three elements:

1. German folk magicks

2. High German ceremonial magicks,
including alchemy

3. Native American herbal lore

Although most prominent in the Pennsylvania German-American communities, strands of Pow Wow drifted up and down the eastern seaboard, and then westward into West Virginia and Ohio. The words “Pow Wow” are of Native American derivation, meaning “he who dreams.” The root word “powwow” stems from an Algonquin Indian word, first recorded in English in New England in the 1640s. Its basic concept is healing through magickal voice, herbals, rhythmic charms, and physical triggers such as hand motions. As Pow Wow was a system and not a religion, the ethics of the practices varied from person to person, depending on their environment, family history, and personality. Like most systems, it also carried its own unique set of taboos, but these, too, depended upon the practitioner as well as the teacher from whom he or she received “the power.”

Studying Pow Wow and its history allows us to understand what type of magicks were used by the everyday person in America 300 years ago as well as in subsequent centuries, and gives us an idea of what other social-magickal models might have been like in the ancient world, where magick was as prevalent then as the use of the automobile is for us today. It shows us how people like you and me mixed magick, religion, and daily life together. Most Pow Wow magick is highly practical, dealing with animal husbandry, farming, community welfare, protection, and general success. With its hands-on healing techniques, it is the American version of Reiki (see page ). The system also uses objects from daily life—needle, thread, scissors, yarn, ribbons, vegetables, creek stones, nails, dinner plates, taglocks, etc.—rather than tools, which at first glance scream magick. All these everyday items are considered part of folk magick (sometimes called low magick). Yet Pow Wow also has its ceremonial (high magickal) components—astrology, magickal voice, and numerous sigils borrowed from European and Arabic systems that used a more scholarly approach. In the system of Pow Wow, as in the religion of Wicca, magicks were a fine mix of new world and old world, practical knowledge and academia. Most of the spells in this book are of Pow Wow origin, unless otherwise indicated, fashioned to fit within the ethical construction of the Wiccan religion.

Magickal Voice

Pow Wows were well-known for using magickal voice, either speaking aloud or, in many cases, whispering. Everyone has a magickal voice. It is the tone that you utter that vibrates your body, and is unique to each individual. Your voice can synchronize the entire body’s energy system, which, in turn, brings body, mind, and spirit into harmony. For some people, the sound formats the word into a sing-song; for others, it may be an individualistic drone. The magickal voice is different for everyone.

To practice your magickal voice, be sure to choose a place and time where you won’t be disturbed or overheard. Many new students are shy about practicing, focusing on old beliefs and behaviors where using such a voice is considered silly; yet, think back to when you were small, when you listened to the sound of your own voice and played with the various notes that you could make. In a sense, you were instinctively seeking your own magickal voice all those years ago.

Sit or stand in a comfortable position, but don’t slouch. Close your eyes. Take several deep breaths where you inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth. Begin with the lowest note for which you are capable and intone that note for at least a minute. Work up through the scale. It’s okay if you can’t sing or are tone deaf—you are searching for the note that vibrates your entire body. Once you’ve found that note, you’ll know it because you will feel the tingling sensation in your body and, if you keep it up, you will begin to feel your energy “click” softly and notice a sensation of gentle harmony all around you. This is the tone of your magickal voice.

Take several more deep breaths, then repeat the tone, this time concentrating on being one with the universe, as I taught you earlier. Find that still point and merge the sound coming from yourself with that meditative state. Continue practicing this exercise for several minutes, but don’t push yourself. When you get tired, or can’t seem to keep it together anymore, stop. This is natural.

As you practice over the next few days, you’ll find that your magickal voice changes a bit. It may be higher or lower than on that first day. This is also normal and a signal that total self-harmony has begun. After several days, the tone will seem like a natural part of you (which it is) and you can begin practicing different words, chants, and invocations in that tone. Continued practice melds this voice with daily habits, and you’ll soon discover that magickal voice emerges on its own when you need it without pressure or consciously thinking about it. It will even, as in the practice of the Pow Wow artist, materialize as a magickal whisper.

Banishing Negativity
Using Magickal Voice

To quickly cleanse yourself and the area in which you stand of negativity, turn and face the west. Stand with your heels touching and toes pointed slightly outward. Make a diamond with your hands by touching the tips of your fingers together. The opening between your index fingers (that are touching) and your thumbs (that are touching each other) looks like a diamond or a candle flame. Ground and center. Take three deep breaths: the first to cleanse the body, the second to cleanse the mind, and the third to cleanse the soul. Take a nice deep breath and begin vibrating your magickal voice, saying the sound “keeeeee” (the sound of banishment) as you let the air slowly out of your lungs. Repeat this procedure at least three times, seven if you are highly upset, frightened, or worried. Rather than concentrating too hard on what to think, release your mind and simply let the sound carry through the room. You may feel a lightness around your shoulders, as if a burden has been released from your body. When you are finished, take another three deep breaths: the first to cleanse the body, the second to cleanse the mind, and the third to remove any roadblocks standing in your way. Ground and center. Open your eyes.

Pow Wow Spell for Prosperity

Supplies: Lemon oil; yellow candle; 5 gold-colored coins; black or white paper; gold or green pen; the sigil below; holy water; a small, red cloth bag. Note: If you cannot find gold coins, you can use 5 gold-painted pebbles.

Instructions: Draw the alchemical symbol shown on the next page on a piece of black paper with a gold pen, or on a piece of white paper with a green pen.

The drawing on the following page is the alchemical symbol for manifestation. It begins with the black circle (the void), with the manifesting spiral in the center, and is surrounded by the four elements, earth at the top, air to the right, water at the bottom, and fire to the left. Crowning the symbol are the ideograms for “Spirit,” and then “mixing” (called amalgamation). The base symbol (connected to fire and below) is the symbol for gold (successful completion). You can also draw this symbol on the yellow or gold candle with a pin, nail, or carving tool of your choice. If you want to take your time, you can draw the symbol with corn meal onto a flat board surface, then place the candle on top.

Ground and center. Cast a magick circle and call the quarters. Place the symbol of manifestation on the center of your altar. Cleanse, consecrate, and empower all supplies you will be using. Rub the candle with lemon oil, focusing on prosperity or on a particular amount of money that you may currently need. Present the candle to the four quarters, beginning with the north and moving in a clockwise direction. Place the candle on the alchemical symbol at the center of the altar. Gather the five coins (or gold stones) and sprinkle with holy water. Using the sound of your magickal voice, running through the vowels a-e-i-o-u, allow the vibrations to enter the stones as you lightly shake them. Think of the color “gold” as it is associated with prosperity. Now take the stones to the four quarters, beginning with the north, and ask for the blessings of each quarter in the manifestation of prosperity for yourself (or for another if you are asking for someone else).

Return to the altar and place the five coins (stones) around the base of the candle. Hold your hands over the altar. Take three deep breaths and relax. Light the candle. Focus on the flame. Picture what you need at the core of the flame, and repeat the following charm nine times:

Forever the silver cord brings
spiritual enlightenment,

the golden bowl be filled with harmony,

the pitcher be empowered and overflow
like the fountain,

and the wheel of life be filled with success.

After the ninefold repetition, say:

This I know you will do for me.

As I will, so mote it be.

Draw an equal-armed cross in the air over the candle flame. Allow the candle to burn completely. When the candle has extinguished, place the five stones or coins, some of the wax from the candle, and the alchemical symbol in the red bag, and carry on your person. Every time doubt enters your mind that you will not receive your desire, hold the bag in your hands and repeat the above verse three times, followed by the closure (This I know you will do for me . . . , etc.).

When you have received your desire, place the red bag on the altar and remove all items. Burn the manifestation symbol and thank deity for your gifts. Scatter ashes to the wind. Bury the candle pieces. Wash the coins or pebbles with holy water and place in the sun for one day. Store coins/pebbles and bag to use again.